Home medication manager

ABSTRACT

A portable self medication management system and method of provided. For example, the system may include a removable tote and docking station. The removable tote including a plurality of receptacles, communicating section for transferring data to and from a docking station and a power reception station for receiving power from the docking station. The docking station including a scanner, a display screen, a controller, a storage device, communicating sections for transmitting data to the removable tote and other external devices and a power transmitting section for transferring power to the removable tote.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation in-part of application Ser.No. 14/448,104, filed Jul. 31, 2014, which is a continuation in-part ofApplication No. PCT/US2014/025479, filed on Mar. 13, 2014, which claimsbenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/888,764, filed Oct. 9,2013 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/783,798, filed Mar. 14,2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to medication management, andin particular to a home self medication management method, system andapparatus which monitors medication administration including dosage andtiming. More specifically, certain aspects of the instant disclosuredescribe a home medication manager that includes a base housing thatincludes a removable tote portion having a plurality of medicationholders or receptacles for receiving and holding numerous medicationsand a docking station within which the removable tote portion sits.

BACKGROUND

Often it is difficult for a patient to remember to take prescribedmedication. This can be especially true for patients who are prescribedmultiple medications that need to be taken at different frequencies andtimes of day. This problem can be compounded by patient confusion,reduced short-term memory, etc. Missing a dose of medication, accidentlytaking a pill twice, and/or adverse interaction between prescribedmedications are all significant causes of adult visits to emergencyrooms. For example, according to data reported by Medicare, heartfailure patients were prescribed an average of twelve (12) medications,and some were prescribed as many as thirty (30) different types ofmedication. With half of these medications taken 2 or 3 times per day,this amounts to over 100 pills per day, all needing to be coordinated tobe taken at specific times and following specific instructions, such astaken with meals, with water, while fasting, etc. In the year 2000, thecosts of medication-related morbidity in ambulatory care settingexceeded $177.4 billion. Moreover, lack of medication compliance afterdischarge from the hospital is a primary reason for patients beingre-admitted.

Because of these issues and others, it is imperative that today'stechnology provide appropriate clear directions on when a particularmedication is needed and how it is to be taken (e.g. with food and/orwater). Hence there is a need for portable home medication reminders,medication dispensers and devices that combine informing and dispensingfunctions that can help patients manage their medications and reduce therisk that a patient will miss taking his medication in the home or whiletraveling. Moreover, home medication management systems that provideguidance and maintain the integrity of the original packaging will limitthe potential for a user to take a prescribed medication inadvertently,which may increase the possibility of adverse effects caused by such amedication.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A novel system, method and apparatus, e.g., “home medication manager” or“home medication management system”, for medication management ispresented. The instant apparatus can serve as a home base medicationmanager and also can be transported anywhere at any time simply byunplugging it. Additionally, in certain aspects of the presentdisclosure a patient can take a necessary amount of prescribedmedication while traveling outside the home by using the compactelectronic medication box component of the home medication manager. Incertain embodiments, the home medication manager can provide both verbaland visual instructions for accurate self medication management. In oneembodiment, the home medication manager can obtain all the necessaryinformation and/or instructions for daily consumption of an individual'smedication from a descriptive barcode provided on the original containersupplied by the pharmacist (local or mail order). In another embodiment,information can be obtained from user input. One embodiment comprises avariety of medication holders, for example a total of twenty (20), thataccommodate different sizes of original medication containers includingcontainers for pills, for liquids and/or foil containers, e.g., blisterpacks.

An embodiment of the present disclosure includes a system comprising: abase comprising a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle having asensor, a visual indicator, and a securing mechanism, the system furthercomprising a scanner, a display screen, a power source, a memory device,a storage device, and a hardware processor coupled to the memory deviceand couple-able to the storage device, the processor configured toacquire, using the scanner, medication information from a medicationcontainer holding a medication, the medication information comprising atleast an administration time; the processor further configured todetermine whether the medication information exists in a first databaseresiding on the storage device, if the medication information does notexist in the first database, to associate the medication informationwith a location information comprising at least a receptacle and storethe medication information and the location information in the firstdatabase, to indicate, using the receptacle visual indicator, thelocation information, and confirm, using the receptacle sensor,placement of the medication container in the associated receptacle inaccordance with the securing mechanism, notify a user to administer themedication held in the medication container based on the administrationtime, and request the user to scan, at the scanner, the medicationcontainer of the notified medication, to detect, based on the scan ofthe medication container, retrieval of an incorrect medication containerfrom the plurality of receptacles, and issue a warning of the detection,and to provide instructions on the display screen for administering themedication, the instructions based on the medication information.

An embodiment of the present disclosure performs the steps of: acquiringmedication information from a medication container holding a medication,the medication information comprising at least an administration time,determining whether the medication information exists in a firstdatabase residing on a storage device, if the medication informationdoes not exist in the first database, associating the medicationinformation with a location information comprising at least a receptaclehaving at least a visual indicator, a sensor and a securing mechanism,and storing the medication information and the location information inthe first database, indicating, using the receptacle visual indicator,the location information, and confirming, using the receptacle sensor,placement of the medication container in the associated receptacle inaccordance with the securing mechanism, notifying a user to administerthe medication held in the medication container based on theadministration time, and requesting the user to scan, at the scanner,the medication container of the notified medication, detecting, inaccordance with the scanner, retrieval of an incorrect medicationcontainer, and issuing a warning of the detection, and providinginstructions on the display screen for administering the medication, theinstructions based on the medication information.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the medication managementsystem integrates a small (e.g., 2.5×5 inch or 2×3 inch) portable,compact electronic box, which allows an individual to travel with neededmedication (e.g., four-six doses) over a 24 hour period. In certainembodiments, the home medication manager can prompt the user to separateneeded medication into at least four (4) different time periods byilluminating those medications that will need to be taken at each timeperiod. For example, the home medication manager can direct theindividual to place particular pills in compartment “A” and set the “A”timer alarm for a given time, e.g., the initial time of the “A” timeperiod. All of the medications for compartment “A” will be lit and,after the required medications are removed from their respectivecontainers and the containers placed back in the system, the lightand/or notification will shut off. This process is repeated for anyadditional compartments, e.g., compartments “B, “C” and “D”. Once allindividual compartments have been populated with the appropriatemedication(s), the time alarms are set for each compartment and theindividual can go out. When it is time to take pills in the compactelectronic box, the individual compartment (e.g., A, B, C, D, E) canilluminate, vibrate or provide notification to the user and/or the wristband and/or pendant can alert the user that it is time to take theprescribed medication(s). The process repeats until all time periodshave passed.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the medicationmanagement system includes a base unit including a removable toteportion and a docking portion, whereby the removable tote portion of thebase includes a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle having asensor, a visual indicator, and/or a means for securing a medication. Incertain embodiments the removable tote portion includes aradio-frequency identification tag (RFID), which identifies and tracksthe removable tote associated with a corresponding docking portion of abase unit. In other embodiments the removable tote portion includes ameans for transferring data and a means for receiving power from thedocking portion. In specific embodiments data is transferred between thedocking station and the removable tote through psychical contacts, suchas a two-way data port, electrical contacts that complete a circuitbetween the docking station and removable tote portion, a wireless dataantenna and receiver, a wireless power antenna and receiver, an RFIDchip and an RFID reader, or a combination thereof. In certainembodiments, the removable tote portion of the base unit includes amicrocontroller, non-volatile memory unit for facilitating communicationbetween elements of the removable tote portion.

A computer readable storage medium storing a program of instructionsexecutable by a machine to perform one or more methods described hereinalso is also provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block representation of an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a receptacle for original medication containers in anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a process executed by an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a block representation of an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 10-13 illustrate additional aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates a specific embodiment of the home medication managercontaining a compact electronic box component.

FIGS. 15-16 illustrate block representations of certain embodiments ofthe present disclosure, which include the compact electronic boxelement.

FIGS. 17-18 illustrate block representations of an embodiment of thepresent disclosure including a base unit having a removable tote elementand a docking station.

FIGS. 19-20 illustrate a specific embodiment of the home medicationmanager containing a base unit having a removable tote element and adocking station.

FIGS. 21-22 illustrate block representations of an embodiment of thepresent disclosure including a base unit having a removable tote elementand a docking station.

FIGS. 23-24 illustrate block representations of an embodiment of thepresent disclosure including a base unit having a removable tote elementand a docking station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure in which ahome medication manager 100 comprises a portable medication storage andmanagement apparatus. FIG. 2 illustrates a block representation of anembodiment of the home medication manager 100. The home medicationmanager 100 includes a locking lid 102 and a base housing 104.Additionally, the base housing 104 includes at least one display screen108 on an outside surface. A top surface of the base housing 104 can beformed into a plurality of medication holders or receptacles 110. Thebase housing can further include at least one speaker and microphoneelement 114, which can be used to provide voice prompts and/ornotifications to or from the home medication manager.

A scanner 106 may be configured to read one or more of Universal ProductCode indicia (UPC), Quick Response (QR) code, high capacity colorbarcode (HCCB) from a medication container. In another embodiment, thescanner 106 can be configured to read unpowered near-field communication(NFC) tags provided on a medication container. The UPC indicia may beused to identify the individual medication held within the medicationcontainer. The more data-dense indices, such as QR, HCCB and NFC tags,may contain medication related information, such as dosage instructions,expiration date, remaining refills, and interaction information. In oneembodiment, the scanner 106 can be a barcode reader which will becapable of reading both three-dimensional and two-dimensional barcodes.When a patient receives a new medication or a refill/renewal, thepatient will scan the barcode located on the original medicationcontainer of the new or refill medication. The home medication manager100 can determine from the scanned barcode information whether theoriginal medication container contains a new medication or a refill.Then the home medication manager 100 can assign a new receptacle 110,e.g., location, if it is a new medication or the same receptacle, e.g.,location, as the previous original medication container if themedication is a refill or renewal.

A display screen 108 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), ane-paper/e-ink display, or an organic LED (OLED) display, or otherdisplays as known to one skilled in the art. The display screen 108 canfunction to provide usage instructions to the patient, as well asalerts, such as time to take a medication, expiration of a medication,warnings, etc. The display screen 108 can also be equipped with a touchsensitive interface that enables user interaction between the homemedication manager 100 and the patient. For example, the patient/usercan input information related to a scanned medication by way of thetouch interface when prompted on the display screen 108. In oneembodiment, a second display screen 1001, as shown in FIG. 10, can beplaced on an outer surface of the base housing 104. This second displayscreen 1001 can be a high density color LCD display or LED panel capableof displaying at least an image of the medication, e.g., a pill, thatthe patient is scheduled to take, so that the patient can be assuredthat he is taking the correct pill. In certain embodiments, the seconddisplay screen 1001 will provide the user with an image of themedication and unique indentifying characteristics of the medicationthat the patient is scheduled to take; so that the patient can beassured that they are taking the correct medication. In certainnon-limiting examples, such identifying characteristics include shape ofthe medication (e.g., oval), color (e.g., white, orange, blue), markings(i.e., the letter V, the number 3, etc.).

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the patient isnotified by the home medication manager that it is time to takemedication. The slot containing the medication due to be taken isilluminated or otherwise indicated, for example, through communicationbetween the sensor and controller. The patient removes the bottle ofmedication and removes one of the pills. Concurrently and the image ofthe pill is displayed on the display screen 1001 and/or 108.Concurrently, the other display screen 1001/108 directs the patient tocompare the pill in hand with the pill on the display screen to assureit is the same pill. In yet another embodiment, the direction to thepatient can be given audibly via speaker 114.

Receptacles 110 can hold the various original medication containers.Some of the receptacles can be designated as bottle receptacles 110 aand dimensioned to receive standard sizes of pill bottles, liquiddropper bottles, and the like. Other receptacles can be designated asnon-traditional receptacles 110 b, which are capable of receiving, forexample, blister packs, or boxes of medication. An individual medicationbottle holder receptacle or slot 110 a can contain a securing mechanism,such as spring loaded sides 301, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3. Thesespring loaded sides 301, for example, can apply tension to the originalmedication container and keep it tightly fitted in the slot 110 a andgreatly decrease the chances that the original medication containerfalls out of the slot during movement and/or transport of the homemedication manager 100. Other mechanisms for securing the originalmedication container in the slot can also be used including, but notlimited to, a locking clasp that secures the medication (not shown),magnets, or a liner overlaying the innermost surface of slot 110 a thatsecurely contacts the outermost surface of the medication bottle,thereby creating friction capable of holding the medication bottle inthe slot 110 a during transport.

In one embodiment, the home medication manager 100 can be powered by anAC power source 112 or rechargeable battery 202 as shown in FIG. 2. Apower supply/charging circuit 204 can be coupled to the AC power source112 and the battery 202. The power supply/charging circuit 204 cancontrol charging of the rechargeable battery when the home medicationmanager 100 is plugged into an AC power source 112. Additionally, thepower supply/charging circuit 204 can condition the output power fromthe AC power source 112 or rechargeable battery to provide appropriatevoltages and currents to the various components of the home medicationmanager 100. The home medication manager 100 can accept 12V, 110V, 220Vpower input, but is not limited to this. Whenever any external powersources are available, the home medication manager 100 can be powered bythis available external source and in addition the internal rechargeablebattery, such as a Lithium-Ion battery, can charge. If external power islost, there can be a seamless switch over to the internal battery andwhen external power is restored there can be a seamless switchover backto the external power and the internal battery can begin charging.

The home medication manager 100 can have a hardware processor orcontroller 206, such as a microcontroller or Field Programmable GateArray (FPGA), which can perform various operations. The controller 206can execute instructions as described below. These instructions can bestored, for example, on a memory device and/or computer readable medium,such as a computer readable storage device 208. The computer readablemedia may be any available non-transitory media that is accessible bycomputer system, and it may include both volatile and non-volatilemedia, and removable and non-removable media, such as random accessmemory (RAM) and/or cache memory or others. A hardwire networkconnection can be provided to the controller to allow for data transferand/or software upgrades. In addition, or in the alternative, wi-fi canbe included to enable the controller to connect with one or moreexternal sources. In one embodiment, the controller can communicate withsmartphones and/or tablets, as well as a wrist band and/or pendant 300,a compact electronic box 1401, and/or the removable tote portion (1700a, 1800 a, 1900 a) of a base 104.

The controller 206 can control scanning of the original medicationcontainer by the scanner 106 and can provide instructions and/or alertsthrough the one or more display screens 108/1001. Additionally, whenscanning an original medication container, the controller 206 candetermine whether the medication is a new medication or a refill byreferencing information stored in the memory/storage device 208. In oneembodiment, a database of current managed medications, which isdiscussed in more detail below, is stored in the memory/storage device208. New medication can be added to this database or to other datastored in the memory/storage device 208. Additional informationregarding the scanned medication, such as usage instructions, number ofrefills and expiration date can be acquired from, for example,interaction with a pharmacy database, or cloud based network of remoteservers (“cloud database”) the indicia scanned from the originalmedication container, if available, or through interaction with thepatient/user via the display screen 108. This information can be storedin the database of current managed medications, as well on a pharmacydatabase, if applicable.

A controller 206 can also select an available receptacle 110 to receivenew or refill original medication container(s) and can indicate theselection by illuminating a light (e.g., LED) 210, as set forth in FIG.2, which is associated with the selected receptacle 110. A sensor 212,such as photodiode and LED assembly, disposed inside each of thereceptacles 110 can be triggered when the original medication containeris received by the selected receptacle 110. Other sensors, as known toone skilled in the art, can also be used. The trigger of the sensor isreceived by the controller 206 which verifies that the originalmedication container has been placed in the correct receptacle 110. Incertain embodiments the sensors 212 are magnetic sensors, which aretriggered by interference with a magnetic field when a medicationcontainer is present in the receptacle 110. In yet another embodiment,the sensors 212 are optical sensors, including cameras, light sensors,scanners (e.g., barcode or RFID scanners) or other means for visuallydetecting when a medication container is present in the receptacle 110.In another embodiment, the sensors 212 are sensitive to the physicalmass of a medication container, whereby the sensor is, for example,triggered by direct physical contact (or lack thereof) with a medicationcontainer in the receptacle 110. The controller can associate thereceptacle assignment, e.g., location, with the medication held in theoriginal medication container and stored in the assigned receptacle,e.g., location, in the database of current managed medications.

The controller 206 may indicate a time for taking a medication byreferring to inputted information by the patient/user, or based oninformation obtained from a pharmacy database, or based on knowninteractions with other prescribed medications under management. Forexample, if medication A and medication B should not be taken together,the controller 206 will adjust administration times accordingly. In oneembodiment, time can be tracked by a clock circuit 214. Moreover, thecontroller 206 may adjust the timing of medication administration sothat a patient is not alerted to take the medications during presetsleep hours, for example between 11 PM and 8 AM, or other time intervalsset by the patient.

When it is time for a medication to be taken, the patient is notified bya notification means such as a buzzer 216, which in certain embodimentsmay provide a vibrating alert to the user, or short range wirelesscommunication provided by a wireless communication circuit 218, such asBluetooth, in communication with a portable electronic device including,for example, a paired bracelet, e.g., wrist alert, or fob, which can beworn, for example, as a pendant 300, a cell phone, smart phone, tabletor software application thereof, or any other Bluetooth or wi-ficompatible device know to one of ordinary skill in the art. In onespecific embodiment, the notification can occur when the bracelet orpendant 300 lights up and/or vibrates. In a specific embodiment, thenotification to take a medication occurs when the home medicationmanagement system communicates through wi-fi or Bluetooth to a cellphone, tablet or smart phone, causing the cell phone or smart phone toring and/or vibrate. Other notification means can also be used.Additionally, the controller 206 can activate the LED 210 correspondingto the receptacle 110 holding the medication to be taken. If the patientinadvertently retrieves a medication from the incorrect receptacle 110,the controller 206 can detect the occurrence by way of the sensor 212associated with improper receptacle 100 and can display a warningmessage on the display screen 108 and/or can sound an alert by way ofthe buzzer 216 and/or the speaker 114. In one embodiment, the controller206 can modulate (e.g., raise) the height of the appropriate medicationcontainer in the corresponding receptacle 110 holding the medication tobe taken by. Modulating the height of an appropriate medicationcontainer within a receptacle 110 can be achieved by any mechanicalmeans for raising and lowering items, as known to one skilled in theart.

In the case where the medication must be refrigerated, and thus not heldin one of the receptacles 110, the controller 206 can provideinstructions on the display screen 108 to retrieve the medication fromthe refrigerator and can scan the barcode of the original medicationcontainer prior to administration. Scanning the barcode of therefrigerated original medication container prior to administrationallows the controller 206 to verify that the correct medication is beingtaken.

Retrieval of the correct medication from the indicated receptacle 110can be detected by the controller 206 by way of the sensor 212, as well.The controller 206 can record the time and date of the dosing in adatabase stored in the memory/storage device 208. This database can bethe same as the database of current managed medications or can be aseparate database, such as a pharmacy database. In one embodiment, thedata can be stored on an external device, such as a server, clouddatabase, and/or portable electronic device (e.g., cell phone, tabletand/or smartphone). In another embodiment, the data can be stored in anRFID chip 500.

The controller 206 may provide further instructions, such as instructingthe patient to take a certain number of pills or amount of liquidmedication, to take the medication with food, or refrain from eating fora period after taking the medication. The instructions can be providedvia the speaker 114, and/or a display screen 108, and/or a wrist alert,or fob, which can be worn, for example, as a pendant 300, a cell phone,smartphone, tablet or software application thereof.

The wireless circuit 218 can include multiple communication protocols,such as Bluetooth, 802.11a/b/g/n, and CDMA, GSM and 3G/4G/4G LTE mobilephone communication protocols. 802.11a/b/g/n and mobile phonecommunication protocols can be utilized by the controller 206 to contacta medication database service (e.g., pharmacy database or clouddatabase) for retrieving medication information relating to druginteractions, administering information, etc. In one embodiment, acable, such as network cable with a RJ45 connector 116, can be used tocommunicate to devices external from the home medication manager 100.The wireless circuit 218 and/or the cable can allow the controller 206to contact a treating health organization to relay medication complianceinformation and other related information for the patient's healthrecords. The controller 206 can be configured to provide encryption anddecryption when sending or receiving personal health-related informationin order to maintain patient privacy; in one embodiment the data will beHIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compatible.In one embodiment, the controller 206 can allow sharing of dataregarding compliance, errors, device malfunction; in addition, thecontroller can perform updates and changes to the current therapy. In aspecific embodiment, the controller shares stored data related to theamount of a particular medication being managed by the home medicationdevice with a pharmacy database or other external database (e.g., clouddatabase).

As mentioned above, the home medication manager 100 can have one or moredatabases in the memory/storage device 208. In one embodiment, onedatabase includes only data from current medication management, such asdata obtained when scanning the original medication container, such asname of medication, name of manufacturer of medication, image of themedication, dosage instructions, administration instructions, e.g,frequency, administration time, storage instructions, expiration date,remaining refills, interaction data, special instructions, etc., anddata indicating in which receptacle the original medication containerresides, and one or more additional databases comprising informationregarding patient data for the user of the home medication manager, dataregarding medication interactions, compliance information, etc. In oneembodiment, one database comprises all of the data and information forthe patient, the medications, compliance, prescribing doctor,pharmacist, etc.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the inventive method. In step S401, anoriginal medication container is scanned to obtain indicia or usagemedication related information, such as medication name, manufacturer'sname, dosage instructions, administering times, expiration date,remaining refills, storage instructions, interaction information, etc.In one embodiment, the medication is accepted into the system via abarcode placed on the medication container by the pharmacist. In stepS402, a determination is made, based on the obtained storageinformation, whether or not the medication needs refrigeration. Ifrefrigeration is needed (S402=YES), then at S403 an instruction is givento place the medication container in the refrigerator, and processingcontinues at S409.

If refrigeration is not needed (S402=NO), then at step S404, adetermination is made as to whether or not the medication is new or is arefill. If the medication is new (S404=NEW), then at step S405, anunoccupied receptacle, e.g., location, is identified. At step S406, anindicator associated with the identified receptacle is activated. Forexample, in one embodiment, the receptacle is lit to indicate theidentified, activated receptacle. At step S407, an instruction is issuedto the user to insert the original medication container into theidentified receptacle. This instruction could be, for example, displayedon the display screen and/or issued through the speaker. The processcontinues at S409.

If the medication is a refill (S404=REFILL), then at S408, thereceptacle holding the previous medication container is identified. Thisidentification could be done by lighting up the receptacle, bydisplaying a message on the display screen, by issuing a message usingthe speaker, by a wrist or fob alert message, or any combinationthereof.

At S409, the updated medication information can be acquired from anexternal database (e.g., pharmacy database or cloud) via wirelesscircuit 218. For example, when a new medication is prescribedinformation is acquired and added to the database remotely. In anotherexample, when a change in the frequency or dosage of a medication ismade, such information can be acquired and updated in a database. AtS410, the medication information associated with the location of themedication is stored. At S411, administering times are tracked. At S412,whether or not it is time for a medication to be taken is determined. Ifit is time (S412=YES), an alert is issued at S413, the receptaclecontaining the medication to be taken is indicated and instructions fortaking the medication are provided. The receptacle can be indicated bylighting up the receptacle, by displaying a message on the displayscreen, by issuing a message using the speaker, by a wrist or fob alertmessage, or any combination thereof.

At S414, whether or not the correct medication has been dispensed isverified. For example, an image of the proper medication will bedisplayed on display screen 108 for comparison the medication removed bythe user. If the medication displayed by the home medication manager(100) matches the medication removed by the user, (S414=YES), dispensingof the correct medication is recorded and the tracking can resume atS411.

If it is not determined that the correct medication has been dispensed(S414=NO), the process returns to step S413.

If it is not time (S412=NO), tracking continues at S411.

One embodiment of the home medication manager 100 can be an apparatusabout the size of a shoe box, can weigh less than two pounds and canhave a lock down top with a carry handle and a rechargeable batterysystem. In one embodiment, the present invention has a display screenand voice over IP that reminds the individual what to take, e.g., foodand/or water, or not take, with his or her medication. This reminderinformation can be retrieved from an internal or external database. Whenthe medication is not stored in the inventive apparatus, for examplebecause the medication has to be refrigerated, display screen 108 canprovide the instruction “YOUR MEDICATION IS IN THE REFRIGERATOR” anddisplay an image of the medication for guidance.

Additionally, individuals being monitored by a home health agency thatbelongs to a Regional Health Information Organization/Health InformationExchange system can have their medication information and medicationcompliance added to the individual's Electronic Health Record and/orsent to the health care provider, pharmacy, and/or the emergency room byway of a wireless, internet, or mobile communication. The wirelesstechnology in the home medication manager can remove many of thepotential errors that are associated with self medicating, and offersfamily members, home health agencies, primary care physicians,pharmacists, etc., access a patient's compliance. The system can alsoalert a pharmacy when the medication needs to be refilled.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate aspects of embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 5 illustrates the power sources of the rechargeable battery and theelectric cord, as well as wireless technology which can be used tocommunicate with a wrist alert, or fob, which can be worn, for example,as a pendant 300, a cell phone, tablet, smartphone or softwareapplication thereof.

FIG. 6 illustrates indicating a receptacle, e.g., lighting up and/orvibrating the receptacle, to direct the user/patient to the correctmedication container. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the user isnotified to administer a medication by illuminating and/or vibrating areceptacle and displaying instructions on the display screen 108, whichmay include an image of the medication contained within the indicatedreceptacle. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the message reminds thepatient that it is time to take your medicine, reminds the patient totake the medication with water, the location of the medication (i.e., toget the medication from the refrigerator where it is stored) and/or toswipe the original medication container barcode to make sure the correctmedication is being taken. The home medication management system canrecord that the patient has taken, e.g., swiped, the correct medicationand store or transmit such information to a database.

FIG. 7 illustrates that the pharmacy can be alerted when renewal for amedication is needed or coming due (i.e., 10 to 30 pills remaining in a1 month or 3 month supply of medication). In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7, the wireless circuit 218 and/or the cable of the home medicationmanager can allow the controller 206 to contact a treating healthorganization or pharmacy to relay medication compliance information andother related information for the patient's health records and/or toalert a patient's health care provider or pharmacist that renewal for amedication is coming due.

FIG. 8 illustrates a lockable carry cover for one embodiment of theinvention, both attached to the base (top) and detached from the base(bottom).

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the home medication manager900 includes all the elements described with respect to FIG. 2 above.Elements of the present embodiment that correspond to like elements inthe embodiment of FIG. 2 are assigned like reference numerals in FIG. 9.In addition to the features of the embodiment of FIG. 2, the presentembodiment further includes a memory card slot 902 configured to readfrom and write to a standard memory card, such as multimedia cards(MMC), secure digital (SD) cards—including SD high capacity (SDHC) andSD extended Capacity (SDXC) cards, memory stick, CompactFlash, SmartMedia, and xD cards. Alternatively, the memory card slot 902 can bereplaced with a universal serial bus (USB) connector capable of readingfrom and writing to a flash memory drive, commonly referred to as aflash thumb drive.

The memory card slot 902 allows removable storage on a memory card (notshown) of a patient's medical information relating to the administrationof prescribed medication. For example, the memory card inserted into thememory card slot 902 may contain a list of prescribed medicationsprovided by a pharmacist, which includes dosages, amount of medicationprovided in a particular prescription (e.g., 1 to 2 week supply, 1 monthsupply or 30 pills, 3 month supply or 90 pills, etc.) and frequency ofadministration that is entered by a pharmacist or other medicalprofessional, or written to a removable storage component via anexternal database using wireless circuit 218 and/or the cable of thehome medication manager and controller 206. This allows the medicationinformation to be entered into the home medication manager 900 of thepresent embodiment more efficiently by not requiring manual entry of theinformation by the patient. In certain embodiments, memory card slot 902enables a user to write and/or store patient data relating to apatient's prescribed medications, which can then be transported andprovided to a pharmacist or health care provider by removing theremovable media (e.g., SD card or USB) from memory card slot 902.

In one embodiment, the memory card can allow for software upgrades, andcan allow data to be imported into various Apple-Based®, Linux-based,and/or Windows®-based programs to improve monitoring of patient care.

The home medication manager 900 also includes a printer 904 disposedwithin the housing of the home medication manager 900. The printer 904can be configured to provide a hardcopy report of a patient's medicationusage and or prescription compliance. In addition, the printer 904 maybe configured to allow a medical professional to provide writteninstructions to the patient by way of either the wireless circuit 218 ora wired network interface 906 using any of the protocols defined underthe IEEE 802.x family of standards. Such written instructions mayinclude changes to administering instructions as well as a newprescription to be presented to a pharmacist for fulfillment. In oneembodiment, the printer 904 can print out one or more preformattedreports such as medication compliance, histograms, doctor visit summary,time to reorder notice, amount of medication remaining in aprescription, etc.

The wired network interface 906 allows connection of the home medicationmanager 900 to connect to a local area network (LAN) and/or a wide areanetwork (WAN), such as the Internet, or through the Internet using anInternet Service Provider, for example. In one embodiment, communicationwith smartphones and/or tablets can be enabled. In a specificembodiment, a wired network interface 906 connects the home medicationmanager to a LAN by way of the controller 206, which enablescommunication between the home medication manager 900 and a smartphone,tablet and or database. In another embodiment, wireless circuit 218communicates (e.g., connects to a wi-fi signal or wireless network),which enables communication between the home medication manager 900 anda smartphone, tablet and or database (e.g., pharmacy or health careprovider network).

In one embodiment, the home medication manager will contain both aspeaker and a microphone 114 for the purpose of communicating with theuser via voice recognition software. These devices can be located in thebase housing, for example, just above the main LCD screen. The speakercan duplicate in voice what the screen is displaying. This will give thepatient two ways of receiving instructions. Third party voicerecognition software can be used. For example, when it is time to takethe medication, the home medication manager can remind the patient (viathe vibrating and or a blinking light on the wrist band 1301 and/or onthe pendant 1302, and/or a voice prompt) as shown, for example, in FIG.13, to go to the medication manager. Upon arrival at the medicationmanager, the patient sees that a particular receptacle or holder isindicated; this receptacle holds the original medication container, orbottle, containing the medication the patient is reminded to take. Ifthe patient removes the wrong bottle, an alert tells the patient thatthe wrong medication is being removed.

In one embodiment, the present invention accepts the medication into thesystem via a barcode placed on the medication bottle by the pharmacist.When scanned by the barcode reader, the home medication manager directsthe patient, for example, by voice over IP and screen display, to placethe medication bottle in the illuminated slot 1201, as shown in FIG. 12.This can be followed by the system naming the medication, describing thedosage and stating when to take the medication. This can be followed byvoice over IP and a screen display message; “You need to take thismedication once in the morning and once in the evening. What time wouldyou like to take this medication in the morning?” User responds “7 AM”using microphone/speaker element 114. The home medication managementsystem then responds by confirming, “you said 7 AM, is this correct?”User responds “YES”, and this information can be saved or stored by thehome medication manager system via database or stored in thememory/storage device 208. The home medication manager then responds“what time would you like to take your medication in the evening?” Userresponds “6 PM”. The home medication manager responds “6 PM, is thiscorrect?” User then responds “YES” using microphone/speaker element 114,and this information is saved in the system via database or stored inthe memory/storage device 208.

In one aspect of the instant disclosure, the medication managementsystem integrates a smaller, compact electronic box 1401/1401 a, whichenables an individual to take medication remotely (i.e., away from thehome or home medication manager) without taking the home medicationmanagement system 100/900, for up to 6 doses over a 24 hour period, asshown in FIG. 14. FIG. 15 shows one embodiment of the instant disclosurewhereby a compact electronic box 1401 a is housed within compartment1402 of the home medication manager 1500. When compact electronic box1401 a is housed within compartment 1402 of the home medication managersystem 1500 the compact electronic box will securely lock into place vialocking element 1404, as shown in FIG. 15. To release the compactelectronic box 1401 a from the home medication manager system the userneed only to depress locking element 1404, which will enable the user toeasily remove the compact electronic box from within compartment 1402.

In one embodiment of the instant disclosure, when compact electronic box1401 a is housed within compartment 1402 it is coupled to the homemedication management via a connection (not shown) that enablescommunication with the home medication manager's controller 206,memory/storage component 208, clock 214 and power supply/charger 204, asshown in FIG. 15. While in compartment 1402, a battery/charger element1405 located within compact electronic box 1401 is charged through itsconnection to power supply/charger 204 of the home medication managementsystem 1500. In certain embodiments, when compact electronic box 1401 ais housed within compartment 1402 it is connected to controller 206,which can execute instructions as described below or communicate storedinstructions, i.e., instructions stored on a memory device and/orcomputer readable medium 902 or computer readable storage device 208 ofthe home medication manager 1500, to a controller 1406 located oncompact electronic box 1401, as shown in FIG. 16. Further in a specificembodiment, the compact electronic box 1401 contains a clock 1409,memory/storage device 1408 and a buzzer 1407, which are connected to acontroller element 1406, and can be used to store and/or transmitinformation between the home medication manager 1500 and the compactelectronic box 1401, as shown in FIG. 16. In addition, in certainembodiments, a hardwire or wi-fi network connection can be provided tocontroller 1406 to allow for data transfer (e.g, from an externaldatabase) and/or software upgrades on the compact electronic box 1401(not shown).

In certain embodiments, compact electronic box 1401 has (four) 4compartments labeled A, B, C, D, which permits a user to take theirmedication at 4 different times during a 24 hour period. In thisembodiment, if an individual wants to be out for the day or part of theday, he/she goes to the home medication management system 1500 andenters the number of hours he/she will be away from home (e.g., 1-24)using display screen 108. The home medication manager will then processthe information provided by the user and identify medications, which arestored within the home medication management system and then illuminatethose medications that will need to be taken during the time in whichthe user is away from home. For example, the home medication manager candirect the individual to put particular medications in compartment “A”and set the “A” timer alarm to the given time, e.g., the initial time ofthe “A” time period. All of the medications for compartment “A” willilluminate and, after the medications are removed from their respectivecontainers and the last of the previously illuminated containers placedback in the home medication management system, the lights will shut off.This process is repeated for compartments “B”, “C” and “D”. Oncemedications are loaded by the user into compartments 1403 of compactelectronic box 1401 a the time alarms are set for compartments A, B, Cand D, and the user can go out.

In certain embodiments, compact electronic box 1401 has (six) 6compartments labeled A, B, C, D, E and F which permits a user to taketheir medication at 6 different times during a 24 hour period. In thisembodiment, if an individual wants to be out for the day or part of theday, he/she goes to the home medication management system 1500 andenters the number of hours he/she will be away from home (e.g., 1-24)using display screen 108. The home medication manager will then processthe information provided by the user and identify medications, which arestored within the home medication management system and then illuminatethose medications that will need to be taken during the time in whichthe user is away from home. For example, the home medication manager candirect the individual to put particular medications in compartment “A”and set the “A” timer alarm to the given time, e.g., the initial time ofthe “A” time period. All of the medications for compartment “A” will belit and, after the medications are removed from their respectivecontainers and the last of the previously illuminated containers placedback in the home medication management system, the lights will shut off.This process is repeated for compartments “B”, “C”, “D”, “E” and “F”, ifnecessary. Once medications are loaded by the user into compartments1403 of compact electronic box 1401 a the time alarms are set for thenecessary compartments 1403, and the user can go out.

In yet another embodiment, when an individual wants to be out for theday or part of the day, he/she goes to the home medication managementsystem 1500 and using speaker/microphone element 114 says “On the Go”.The home medication manager will then prompt the user to recite thenumber of hours he/she will be away from home (e.g., 1-24) using voiceover IP and speaker/microphone element 114. The home medication managerwill then process the information provided by the user and identifymedications, which are stored within the home medication managementsystem and then illuminate those medications that will need to be takenduring the time in which the user is away from home. For example, thehome medication manager can direct the individual to put particularmedications in compartment “A” and set the “A” timer alarm to the giventime, e.g., the initial time of the “A” time period. All of themedications for compartment “A” will be lit and, after the medicationsare removed from their respective containers and the last of thepreviously illuminated containers placed back in the home medicationmanagement system, the lights will shut off. This process is repeatedfor compartments “B”, “C” and “D”, if necessary. Once medications areloaded by the user into necessary compartments 1403 of compactelectronic box 1401 a the time alarms are set for the necessarycompartments (e.g.) A, B, C and D, and the home medication managementsystem will inform the user via voice over IP that the user can go out.

When it is time to take the medications stored in the compact electronicbox, the user is notified via illumination of an LED or series of LED210 and/or vibration of a buzzer element 1407 of the compact electronicbox 1401, and/or via the wrist band and/or pendant 300. When theindividual opens the compact electronic box 1401, the individualcompartment 1403 will be illuminated by the corresponding LED 210indicator, which notifies to the user that the medication located in theilluminated compartment should be consumed. The process repeats untilall time periods have passed or the medications in each compartment 1403have been consumed.

In one embodiment, when the correct original medication container isremoved, the patient is requested either verbally or on the displayscreen, or both, to compare the medication in hand with the picture onthe screen 1001, as shown in FIG. 10, to verify that this is the correctpill. After a predetermined time, e.g., one to three minutes, thepatient can be asked to put the original medication container back inthe indicated receptacle. If patient places the container in theincorrect receptacle, a verbal and/or visual notice can be generated bythe home medication manager, saying the container has been placed in thewrong receptacle, and requesting that the container be placed in theindicated holder. In one embodiment, indication of the correctreceptacle is provided by illuminating the proper receptacle 110.

In one embodiment, the home medication manager can be portable as it hasa lock down cover with a handle and rechargeable battery. Thisportability allows an individual who is travelling to use the homemedication management system without losing the information storedtherein. In one embodiment, the unit can include a 12V transformer, a12V battery, 120V AC and 240V AC. In one embodiment, a fully chargedLithium Ion battery 202 will provide power to the home medicationmanagement system for one week.

In one embodiment, the home medication management system can contain athermal printer 904 in the base housing, as shown in FIG. 9. Thisprinter can be programmed to generate specific reports just by pressinga button. For example, when a patient has a doctor's appointment, he canpress a button on the base housing and the printer will print out allthe medication the patient is currently taking, the dosage, thefrequency and whether the patient has been compliant. The printer canalso provide information to the patient, serving as an interface betweenthe patient and the home medication manager, instead of, or in additionto, a voice recognition interface.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is shown, for example in FIGS.17-24. Here, the home medication management system includes a basehaving a docking station (e.g.) 1700 as shown, for example, in FIG. 17and a removable tote portion (e.g., 1700 a) as exemplified in FIG. 18.As shown by FIGS. 17 and 18, the components within the docking station1700 and components within the removable tote portion 1700 a cancommunicate with each other via the I/O Port 600 in the docking station1700 and I/O Port 600 a in the removable tote portion 1700.Additionally, certain components of the removable tote portion 1700 acan receive power from the docking station via the Input Power Supply601 a and Output Power Supply 601. For example, power can be suppliedfrom the docking station 1700 to the removable tote portion 1700 a usingconduction. Two electrical contacts are disposed on an internal surfaceof the docking station 1700. The two electrical contacts serve as theOutput Power Supply 601. In an aspect of the disclosure, the twoelectrical contacts are located on the bottom internal surface of thedocketing station 1700. Two electrical contacts are also disposed on anexternal surface of the removable tote portion 1700 a. In an aspect ofthe disclosure, the two electrical contacts are located on the bottomexternal surface of the removal tote portion 1700 a and correspond tothe location of the two electrical contacts on the docking station 1700.When the removable tote portion 1700 a is in the docking station 1700the respective electrical contacts touch each other. The two electricalcontacts on the removable tote portion 1700 a serve as the Input PowerSupply 601.

The Output Power Supply 601 receives power under the control of theController 206. When the Output Power Supply 601 receives power, thepower is conducted to the Input Power Supply 601 due to the directcontact of the respective electrical contacts. The power that isconducted to the Input Power Supply is then used to supply power to thesensors 212 and other electrical components of the removable toteportion 1700 a including the RFID chip 500.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, the respective electrical contactscan also serve as the I/O Ports 600/600 a. Data can be modulated at aspecific frequency. The modulated output can be evaluated by aController 206 to determine the data, as described below in furtherdetail.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, one or more electricalconnectors can be used to transfer data and power between componentswithin the docking station 1700 and components within the removable toteportion. For example, USB connection can be used. In an aspect of thedisclosure, a female receptacle for the USB connector is disposed on aninternal surface of the docking station 1700. A male USB connector isdisposed on the external surface of the portable tote portion 1700 a ina corresponding location to mate with the female receptacle on thedocking station 1700. For example, the male USB connector is located onthe bottom external surface of the portable tote portion 1700 a and thefemale receptacle is located on the bottom internal surface of thedocking station 1700. When the portable tote portion 1700 a is in thedocketing station 1700, the male USB connector mates with the femalereceptacle.

Using the USB connection, both power and data can be transferred usingthe same connector. Different ports within the male USB connector areused to transfer power and data. Thus, the male USB connector can serveas both the I/O Data Port 600 a and the Input Power Supply 601 a.Additionally, the female receptacle can serve as both the I/O Data Port600 and the Output Power Supply 601.

Other electrical connectors can be used such as, but not limited to, a8, 9, 25 or 30-pin connector and corresponding female receptacle.Certain pin(s) can be used to transfer power and other pins can be usedto transmit or receive data. The male portion of the connector can bedisposed on the bottom external surface of the removable tote portionand the female receptacle can be disposed in a corresponding location ofthe bottom internal surface of the docking station.

In another aspect of the disclosure, power and data can be transmittedwirelessly or via a non-contact delivery method. FIGS. 21-24 depictembodiments where the transfer of power and data are wirelessly ornon-contact. For example, inductive power and data transmission can beused. Inductive power and data would be transferred from the dockingstation 1800/1900 using a tuned inductor and resonant resistor. Theinductor and resonant resistor can serve as the Wireless Power Antenna611. The removable tote portion 1800 a/1900 a would have a correspondingresonant circuit having an inductor and resonant resistor. The inductorand resonant resistor is tuned to resonate at substantially the sameresonant frequency as the tuned inductor and resonant resistor in thedocking station. The corresponding resonant circuit, e.g., inductor andresonant resistor, can serve as the Wireless Power Antenna 611 a.

The controller 206 controls the power supplied to the Wireless PowerAntenna to regulate the induced power and transmitted data. Similarly,the two resonant circuits can serve as the Wireless Antenna I/O Data610/610 a. The controller 206 can transmit data to the removable toteportion 1800 a/1900 a using the resonant circuits. Similarly, datatransmitted from the removable tote portion 1800 a/1900 a transmittedunder the control of the Controller 206 a present in the removable toteportion.

As shown in FIGS. 21-22, in a specific embodiment, the home medicationmanager can have a hardware processor or controller 206/206 a, such as amicrocontroller or Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), which canperform various operations. The controller 206/206 a can executeinstructions as described below. These instructions can be stored, forexample, on a memory device and/or computer readable medium, such as acomputer readable storage device 208/208 a. The computer readable mediamay be any available non-transitory media that is accessible by computersystem, and it may include both volatile and non-volatile media, andremovable and non-removable media, such as random access memory (RAM)and/or cache memory or others. A hardwire network connection can beprovided to the controller to allow for data transfer and/or softwareupgrades. In addition, or in the alternative, wi-fi can be included toenable the controller to connect with one or more external sources. Inone embodiment, the controller can communicate with smartphones and/ortablets, as well as a wrist band and/or pendant 300, and/or a compactelectronic box 1401.

The controller 206, located in the docking station can control scanningof the original medication container by the scanner 106 and can provideinstructions and/or alerts through the one or more display screens108/1001. Additionally, controller 206, located in the docking stationcan communicate data with a second controller 206 a located in theremovable tote portion of the base through, for example, the WirelessData Antenna 610/610 a, an I/O Data Port 600/600 a, or an RFID reader500 a.

For example, when scanning an original medication container, thecontroller 206 in the docking station 1800 can determine whether themedication is a new medication or a refill by referencing informationstored in the memory/storage device 208. In one embodiment, a databaseof current managed medications, is stored in the memory/storage device208 in the docking station and another memory/storage device 208 a inthe removable tote portion. New medication can be added to this databaseor to other data stored in a memory/storage device 208/208 a. Additionalinformation regarding the scanned medication, such as usageinstructions, number of refills and expiration date can be acquiredfrom, for example, interaction with a pharmacy database, or cloud basednetwork of remote servers (“cloud database”) the indicia scanned fromthe original medication container, if available, or through interactionwith the patient/user via the display screen 108. This information canbe stored in the database of current managed medications, as well on apharmacy database, if applicable.

A controller 206/206 a can also select an available receptacle 110 a toreceive new or refill original medication container(s) and can indicatethe selection by illuminating a light (e.g., LED) 210, as shown, forexample, in FIG. 2, which is associated with the selected receptacle 110a. A sensor 212, such as photodiode and LED assembly, disposed insideeach of the receptacles 110 a can be triggered when the originalmedication container is received by the selected receptacle 110 a. Othersensors, as known to one skilled in the art, can also be used. Thetrigger of the sensor is communicated to (i.e., received by) thecontroller 206/206 a which verifies that the original medicationcontainer has been placed in the correct receptacle 110 a. Thecontroller 206/206 a can associate the receptacle assignment, e.g.,location, with the medication held in the original medication containerand stored in the assigned receptacle, e.g., location, in the databaseof current managed medications.

In a specific embodiment, notification to take a medication occurs whenthe home medication management system communicates through amemory/storage device 208/208 a, controller 206/206 a, Wireless DataAntenna 610/610 a, Data I/O Port 600/600 a, wi-fi or Bluetooth to alertthe patient, e.g., through a cell phone, tablet or smart phone, causingthe cell phone or smart phone to ring and/or vibrate. Other notificationmeans can also be used. For example, the controller 206/206 a canactivate the LED 210 corresponding to the receptacle 110 a holding themedication to be taken. If the patient inadvertently retrieves amedication from the incorrect receptacle 110 a, the controller 206/206 acan detect the occurrence by way of the sensor 212 associated withimproper receptacle 100 a and can display a warning message on thedisplay screen 108 a and/or can sound an alert by way of the buzzer 216and/or the speaker 114. In another embodiment, when it is time for amedication to be taken, the patient can be notified by a notificationmeans such as a buzzer 216, which in certain embodiments may provide avibrating alert to the user, or short range wireless communicationprovided by a wireless communication circuit 218, such as Bluetooth, incommunication with a portable electronic device including, for example,a paired bracelet, e.g., wrist alert, or fob, which can be worn, forexample, as a pendant 300, a cell phone, smart phone, tablet or softwareapplication thereof, or any other Bluetooth or wi-fi compatible deviceknow to one of ordinary skill in the art. In one specific embodiment,the notification can occur when the bracelet or pendant 300 lights upand/or vibrates.

In the case where the medication must be refrigerated, and thus not heldin one of the receptacles 110, the controller 206/206 a can provideinstructions on the display screen 108 to retrieve the medication fromthe refrigerator and can scan the barcode of the original medicationcontainer prior to administration. Scanning the barcode of therefrigerated original medication container prior to administrationallows the controller 206/206 a to verify that the correct medication isbeing taken.

Retrieval of the correct medication from the indicated receptacle 110 acan be detected by the controller 206/206 a by way of the sensor 212.The controller 206 can record the time and date of the dosing in adatabase stored in the memory/storage device 208/208 a. This databasecan be the same as the database of current managed medications or can bea separate database, such as a pharmacy database. In one embodiment, thedata can be stored on an external device, such as a server, clouddatabase, and/or portable electronic device (e.g., cell phone, tabletand/or smartphone).

The controller 206/206 a may provide further instructions, such asinstructing the patient to take a certain number of pills or amount ofliquid medication, to take the medication with food, or refrain fromeating for a period after taking the medication. The instructions can beprovided via the speaker 114, and/or a display screen 108, and/or awrist alert, or fob, which can be worn, for example, as a pendant 300, acell phone, smartphone, tablet or software application thereof.

The wireless circuit 218/218 a can include multiple communicationprotocols, such as Bluetooth, 802.11a/b/g/n, and CDMA, GSM and 3G/4G/4GLTE mobile phone communication protocols. 802.11a/b/g/n and mobile phonecommunication protocols can be utilized by the controller 206/206 a tocontact a medication database service (e.g., pharmacy database or clouddatabase) for retrieving medication information relating to druginteractions, administering information, etc. The wireless circuit218/218 a can allow the controller 206/206 a to contact a treatinghealth organization to relay medication compliance information and otherrelated information for the patient's health records. The controller206/206 a can be configured to provide encryption and decryption whensending or receiving personal health-related information in order tomaintain patient privacy; in one embodiment the data will be HIPAA(Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compatible. In oneembodiment, the controller 206/206 a can allow sharing of data regardingcompliance, errors, device malfunction; in addition, the controller canperform updates and changes to the current therapy. In a specificembodiment, the controller shares stored data related to the amount of aparticular medication being managed by the home medication device with apharmacy database or other external database (e.g., cloud database).

In another aspect of the disclosure, power and data can be separatelytransmitted. For example, power can be transmitted as described above;however, the data can be transmitted using wireless antennasimplementing different wireless protocols.

In another aspect of the disclosure, instead of having a separateWireless Antenna 610/611, an RFID Reader can be used to transfer powerto and data to and from the removable tote portion, e.g., to an RFID Tag500.

In one embodiment, the base housing of the home medication manager cancontain a Compact Flash Memory Card (not shown), operable in a memorycard slot 902, which will record all activity that the manager performs.This card can be hot swappable and the manager will function with orwithout it. In one embodiment, the card can hold over a year's worth ofdata. When the new patient option is selected, the data can beautomatically erased.

In one embodiment, the inventive method described herein may beimplemented as hardware on a reconfigurable hardware, e.g., FPGA (FieldProgrammable Gate Array) or CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), byusing a hardware description language (e.g., Verilog, VHDL, Handel-C, orSystem C). In another embodiment, the inventive method may beimplemented on a semiconductor chip, e.g., ASIC (Application-SpecificIntegrated Circuit), by using a semi custom design methodology, i.e.,designing a semiconductor chip using standard cells and a hardwaredescription language.

The computer system may be any type of known or will be known systemsand may typically include a processor, memory device, a storage device,input/output devices, internal buses, and/or a communications interfacefor communicating with other computer systems in conjunction withcommunication hardware and software, etc. Portions of the system alsomay be implemented on a virtual computer system, colloquially known as acloud.

Regarding a computer readable storage medium, it may be, for example, amagnetic, optical, electronic, electromagnetic, infrared, orsemiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combinationof the foregoing; however, the computer readable storage medium is notlimited to these examples. Additional particular examples of thecomputer readable storage medium can include: a portable computerdiskette, a hard disk, a magnetic storage device, a portable compactdisc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), an electrical connection having one or more wires, anoptical fiber, an optical storage device, or any appropriate combinationof the foregoing; however, the computer readable storage medium is alsonot limited to these examples. Any tangible medium that can contain, orstore a program for use by or in connection with an instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device could be a computer readablestorage medium.

The described embodiments of the present invention are intended to beillustrative rather than restrictive, and are not intended to representevery embodiment of the present invention. Various modifications andvariations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention as set forth in the following claims both literally and inequivalents recognized in law.

What is claimed is:
 1. A self medication management system, comprising:a removable tote comprising a plurality of receptacles, where eachreceptacle has at least a sensor and an associated visual indicator,wherein said plurality of receptacles are capable of housing individualunaltered medication containers, and wherein said removable tote furthercomprises a continuous bottom external surface interspersed between abottom surface of the unaltered medication containers and a top surfaceof a docketing station; said docking station comprising: a scanner; atleast one display screen; a power supply; and a storage device; and aprocessor comprising hardware configured to: acquire, using the scanner,medication information from an unaltered medication container holding amedication, the medication information comprising at least anadministration time; determine whether the medication information existsin a first database residing on the storage device; if the medicationinformation does not exist in the first database, associate themedication information with location information identifying areceptacle of said plurality of receptacles and store the medicationinformation and the location information in the first database;indicate, using the visual indicator corresponding to the associatedreceptacle of said plurality of receptacles and the locationinformation, placement of the unaltered medication container in theassociated receptacle; confirm placement of the unaltered medicationcontainer using the receptacle sensor associated with the receptacle ofsaid plurality of receptacles; notify a user to administer themedication held in the unaltered medication container based on theadministration time, and request the user to scan, at the scanner, theunaltered medication container of the notified medication; detect, basedon the scan of the unaltered medication container, retrieval of anincorrect unaltered medication container from the plurality ofreceptacles, and issue a warning of the detection; and provideinstructions on the display screen for administering the medication, theinstructions based on the medication information.
 2. The self medicationmanagement system according to claim 1, the processor comprisinghardware further configured to track administering of the medications ina second database residing on the storage device.
 3. The self medicationmanagement system according to claim 2, the processor comprisinghardware further configured to send information from the second databaseto an external source.
 4. The self medication management systemaccording to claim 3, wherein the external source is a pharmacy databaseor cloud database.
 5. The self medication management system according toclaim 1, the processor comprising hardware further configured to acquireadditional medication information from an external source.
 6. The selfmedication management system according to claim 5, wherein the externalsource is a pharmacy database or cloud database.
 7. The self medicationmanagement systems according to claim 1, wherein the processorcomprising hardware is located within the docking station.
 8. The selfmedication management system according to claim 1, wherein the dockingstation further comprises a first communication section; and wherein theremovable tote further comprises a second communication section, whereinwhen the removable tote is placed in the docking station, the firstcommunication section and the second communication section are capableof communicating with each other.
 9. The self medication managementsystem according to claim 8, wherein the first communication section andthe second communication section are wireless communication devices. 10.The self medication management system according to claim 1, wherein thedocking station further comprise comprising a buzzer wherein said buzzervibrates to provide notification to the user.
 11. The self medicationmanagement system according to claim 1, wherein the docking stationfurther comprises a power transmitting section; and wherein theremovable tote further comprises a power reception section and whereinwhen the removable tote is placed in the docking station, the powertransmitting section is capable of transmitting power to the removabletote via the power reception section.
 12. The self medication managementsystem according to claim 11, wherein the power is wirelesslytransmitted from the docking station to the removable tote.
 13. The selfmedication management system according to claim 12, wherein the power isinductively transmitted from the power transmitting section to the powerreception section.
 14. The self medication management system accordingto claim 11, wherein the power transmitting section and power receptionsection respectively comprise electric contacts, and wherein when theremovable tote is placed in the docking station, power is capable ofbeing conducted via direct contact between electric contacts,respectively in the docking station and removable tote.
 15. The selfmedication management system according to claim 11, wherein powerreception section and power transmitting section comprises a connectioncable with pins and a receptacle, and wherein when the removable tote isplaced in the docking station, power is capable of being conducted viadirect contact between at least one pin and the receptacle, respectivelyin the removable tote and the docking station.
 16. A self medicationmanagement method for managing medications comprising: acquiring, usinga scanner, medication information from an unaltered medication containerholding a medication, the medication information comprising at least anadministration time; determining whether the medication informationexists in a first database residing on a storage device; if themedication information does not exist in the first database, associatingthe medication information with location information identified areceptacle of a plurality of receptacles located within a removabletote; wherein said removable tote comprises a continuous bottom externalsurface interspersed between a bottom surface of the unalteredmedication container and a top surface of a docketing station andstoring the medication information and the location information in thefirst database; indicating, using a visual indicator disposed proximateto the receptacle of said plurality of receptacles within the removabletote and the location information, placement of the unaltered medicationcontainer in the associated receptacle, each receptacle of the pluralityof receptacle having a receptacle sensor and an associated visualindicator; confirming using the receptacle sensor within the receptacleof said plurality of receptacles placement of the unaltered medicationcontainer; notifying a user to administer the medication held in theunaltered medication container based on the administration time, andrequesting the user to scan, at the scanner, the unaltered medicationcontainer of the notified medication; detecting, in accordance with thescanner, retrieval of an incorrect unaltered medication container fromthe plurality of receptacles, and issuing a warning of the detection;and providing instructions on the display screen for administering themedication, the instructions based on the medication information. 17.The self medication management method according to claim 16, furthercomprising tracking administering of the medications in a seconddatabase residing on the storage device.
 18. The self medicationmanagement method according to claim 17, further comprising sendinginformation from the second database to an external source.
 19. The selfmedication management method according to claim 18, wherein the externalsource is a pharmacy database or cloud database.
 20. The self medicationmanagement method according to claim 16, further comprising acquiringadditional medication information from an external source.
 21. The selfmedication management method according to claim 16, wherein thenotification and warning are selected from a group consisting of avisual indication or an audible indication.